'Personal challenges' force Dustin Johnson to take leave of absence from golf

AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- Dustin Johnson is taking a leave of absence from golf to seek help for "personal challenges," putting him out of the PGA Championship and raising questions about whether he will be at the Ryder Cup at the end of September. In a statement Thursday from his agent at Hambric Sports Management, the 30-year-old Johnson said his leave of absence was effective immediately. It did not indicate how long he would be out of golf. Johnson withdrew from the Bridgestone Invitational at the start of the week. RELATED PHOTOS: Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky "I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced," Johnson said. "By committing the time and resources necessary to improve my mental health, physical well-being and emotional foundation, I am confident that I will be better equipped to fulfill my potential and become a consist...